For starters, this country is absolutely breathtaking….

Upon arrival at the elephant conservation center (ECC) in Sayaboury, Laos, we decided to escape the heat with a sunset kayak sesh…. best decision ever!

A few mornings later I decided I’d catch the sunrise before everyone woke up so I took the kayak out again for a quiet, peaceful morning paddle. Well worth it!

Anyway, my first week was unforgettable. We traveled every day, first by boat off the ECC island to a tuk-tuk who then drove us about 30 minutes into a rural village where we met the kiddos at a local school. Every day they greeted us with flowers and the warmest smiles, exchanging a friendly “sabaai diiiiiii!” (hello in Laos) with myself and the other volunteers.

Anyway, a few things I learned/took out of this experience.

1. Do not take anything for granted, ever.

The people in Laos are so friendly and welcoming. Despite the heat, lack of resources, and poverty-stricken neighborhoods, the kids come to school eager and happy to learn (and they come WILLINGLY during their summer break). The adults are doing what they can to survive and provide for their families, all while still remaining a humble and connected community. We are lucky in America (and other Western cultures) to have such a laid-back lifestyle and access to so many resources for both children & adults.

2. Teaching kids about sanitation is vital.

Many people in Laos have little knowledge about proper sanitation. The sewage systems are mediocre at best and many places don’t have a place where you can wash your hands with soap, especially in the more rural parts of Laos. We got to help the kids learn how to say words in English about brushing their teeth and had a fun project for them to keep their new toothbrushes in the classroom 🙂 they loved it!

3. Working outdoors is hot work, but it’s very rewarding.

Especially when it’s for a good cause! I definitely commend every single construction-type worker out there for tolerating the summer heat and working outdoors. I think we all struggled a little bit at some point, but let me tell ya, after two full days sweating buckets trying to paint an entire ceiling, and then another two days shoveling rocks and cement….once it was all done, I was super proud lol

4. Ice cream breaks are necessary. See #3 for why.

5. Do not let experiences like this pass you by.

I will almost always take an experience like this over a typical vacation. Of course it’s great to sit by the beach all day sippin’ margaritas, which isn’t to say I don’t do plenty of that! 😉 but being interactive with the locals, seeing the rural mountainsides and villages, and getting to make a difference in a couple lives, hey…doesn’t sound like too bad of a gig to me. Especially when I get to end my days with floating in clear blue waterfalls! 10/10 recommend.

More to come soon! Thanks for reading!

-Alyssa